Data from a recent Star Talk Radio survey has shown that people who listen to the show are more likely to talk about science with their families, friends, or colleagues. I’ve definitively noticed this phenomenon at home. When I listen to science podcasts, I share my favorite anecdotes with my husband and, should the subject be simple enough, with my toddler. It’s amazing how a radio show can really boost the level of conversation that your kids are exposed to at home.

Star Talk survey results, used with permission.

It’s a principle I’ve discussed here at GeekMom before. On last year’s Introduce A Girl To Engineering Day, I discussed with Intel how exposure to engineering is important to raise the next generation of engineers. Their research shows some interesting numbers: Kids are more likely to consider engineering as a career if they are familiar with facts about engineering.

Intel studied student reaction to engineer before and after short exposure to facts about engineering. Image used with permission.

So we should expose ourselves to more science and we should take it seriously, right? Well not quite. As far as I’m concerned, the last thing I need is to make science feel like a boring chore. I’m a firm believer that we can make science fun! With that in mind, I’ve sampled about 70 gazillion science podcasts in order to find the ones that are not only fascinating but also fun. Fair warning: I picked up a few stragglers along the way that aren’t strictly science-related but still informational enough to be entertaining for the science-minded, I promise! Without further ado, here’s a list of my old and new favorites.

Hosted by comedians Matt Kirshen, Brooks Wheelan, and Andy Wood. This podcast features the guys bickering over the latest science news. There’s almost nothing serious about it, so of course now it’s my favorite show.

Hosted by astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson. Each show also features two co-hosts: a comedian (frequently Eugene Mirman) and a guest. This podcast features interviews with experts about a wide variety of science topics, though astronomy is the underlying theme. Tyson brings his undeniable charisma to the table, and the comedian co-host keeps everyone smiling from start to end.

Hosted by neurologist Dr. Steven Novella, with a small group of co-hosts. The show aims at debunking pseudoscience. The show also features, amongst other things, interviews with experts, guest co-hosts, a fun “science or fiction” segment where hosts have to guess between three pieces of science news which two are real and which one is a fake. Phil Plait has been a frequent guest.

Hosted by theoretical physicist and mathematician Ben Tippet and a slew of recurring co-hosts. Considering most science shows feature guests who are science experts, this podcast is a refreshing change: The guests are non-science-experts-but-totally-awesome folks like famous authors and webcomic artists.